School of Dance presenting annual ‘Nutcracker’ ballet

December 8, 2011

SHEPHERDSTOWN - Breathing new life into something steeped with tradition is not always easy, but it appears the Shepherdstown School of Dance has managed to do just that.

'The Nutcracker' ballet first opened in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1892 and debuted in the United States in 1940.

The original story is about a small girl named Clara. Clara receives a nutcracker as a gift from her godfather during her family's annual Christmas celebration.

Article Photos

Journal photo by Chris JacksonBreathing new life into something steeped with tradition is not always easy, but it appears the Shepherdstown School of Dance has managed to do just that for its upcoming performance of ‘The Nutcracker.’

Clara loves her nutcracker and falls asleep holding him, only to dream that he becomes a living nutcracker prince, who after battling the Mouse King, whisks her away to the Land of Sweets. While in the Land of Sweets they are greeted by the Sugar plum Fairy who introduces them to all the people of the land. When Clara wakes, she discovers she was only dreaming, but loves her nutcracker none the less.

Hundreds of dance companies and schools around the world perform "The Nutcracker" annually at Christmas time, and the Shepherdstown School of Dance is no different. This is their fifth year performing the classic ballet; however, typically every year the choreography and costuming change slightly depending upon student enrollment. This year though, Emily Romine, creative director and choreographer for the school, said their choreography is changing significantly.

"Its almost all new choreography this year - certainly a new breath for us," said Romine. "(The audience) will certainly see new stuff this year."

As it goes with the cycle of dance schools, some dancers will be moving into new roles this year. Abigail Dumas, 15, will be performing the prima ballerina role as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Kelsey Eckles, 14, will play the Snow Queen, partnering with Dominic Massimino, 16, as the Nutcracker prince. Jackie Arnold, 12, will dance as Clara, and guest artist Jamie Wolf, of Suzanne Ferrell Ballet in Washington, D.C., at the Kennedy Center, will be performing the cavalier.

Mercedes Prohaska, co-owner of the studio and Encore Apparel in Motion, said this is the first year they've ever had beginning pointe students dance in "The Nutcracker." That's something very new for the choreography.

Romine says she believes even though all the principle dancers this year are younger than in years past, they seem stronger.

"The whole school seems stronger," she added. "The production as a whole feels stronger - it's exciting. This whole year's been exciting. There seems to be this new energy."

Earlier this year, the Shepherdstown School of Dance moved into a new building which almost doubled its studio space and enabled dancers to do things they've been restricted from doing in the past. One new addition the school has made is offering an adult ballet class on Saturday mornings.

"Because we now offer an adult ballet class, we're now able to have all adult women as women in the party scene of The Nutcracker rather than older dance students," added Romine. "That's nice, and its added a sense of community."

"I've gotten a real kick out of seeing how serious the adults are taking it," said Prohaska with a chuckle.

New choreography also comes into one of many audience member's favorite scenes - the battle scene where the Nutcracker fights the Mouse King.

"The battle scene has a lot more energy than its ever had before," said Massamino. "There's a lot more close combat than there has been and with added slight acrobatics.

"There's more fight in this year's choreography," said Romine, "and because of Dominic's acting background and the fact that he's older, we've been able to add a pantomime to the beginning of Act II where he tells the story. Pantomime is another skill used in classical ballet to help explain the plot."

Dance schools often change choreography depending on dancers' ability, so now that Massamino is becoming more experienced and stronger, Romine said she's excited that this year they've been able to start him as a cavalier understudy so in the near future he will be able to pas de daux with the Sugar Plum Fairy.

"Partnering on pointe is new to me," Arnold said. "I've been partnering for a few years, but now I'm doing more than I've ever done."

Dumas said she was able to practice her pas de daux with Wolf several weeks ago, and his instruction was extremely helpful and insightful.

"I feel like its been such a good experience," she said. "He's teaching me so much I didn't know. In part of our pas he would tell me where to place my hand or where my head should be. He showed me how to hold my body when we're doing turns - it's been a really big help to me."

"It is shaping out to be a spectacular performance," Romine said. "Anyone who sees it definitely be pleased."

"It's a great way to bring you into the season of Christmas," added Dumas.

More information on the SSOD's The Nutcracker can be found online at www.shepherdstownschoolofdance.com. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Encore Apparel in Motion at 400 S. Princess St. in Shepherdstown or by calling 304-876-3040.